Shoulder-brace.



A. ROLAND.

SHOULDER BRAGE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9, 1909.

Patented Jan. 4, 1910.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AGNES ROLAND, F DORCI-IESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO NONA M. RIVERS, OF DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOULDER-BRACE.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, AGNES ROLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dorchester. in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoulder- Braces of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to braces or the like and refers particularly to a device that is to be applied to the body in order to support the shoulders to hold the same in an upright position thereby giving freedom to the lungs by free access of air thereto.

The invention has for an object the provision of a body brace of this character which when fitted to the body presents no uneven surfaces or enlarged portions which cause the discomfort of the wearer, but which presents a neat appearance and supports the shoulders without submitting the same to a strain incident to the wearing of the same.

The invention further provides a brace of this nature which is provided with means for protecting the arms from the binding action of the portions of the device which engage about the same, thereby preventing the chafing or pinching of the body of the wearer.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of the brace as applied to the wearer. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the brace disclosed as in a flattened position.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followin description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings the numerals 10 and 11 designate bands which are enlarged at their upper extremities and which are apertured for the reception of the arms of the wearer therethrough. The portions of the bands 10 and 11 which are apertured are reinforced about their opposite edges by the provision of strengthening ribs 12 which are formed of tape or the like secured about the edges of the same and which hold the portions in a rounded position in order to conform to the curvatures of the arms. The

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 9, 1909.

Patented Jan. 4:, 1910.

Serial No. 488,902.

bands 10 and 11. are adapted to engage up on the arms of the wearer and he supported upon the shoulders where they are retained in such position by means of a tape 12-3 or the like which is extended across the adjoining edges of the bands 10 and adapted for engagement across the back of the wearer.

The tape 13 is preferably formed in two portions, each one of which is mounted upon the bands 10 and 11 and which is tied or otherwise secured intermediately in order to adjust the bands 10 and 11 to the wearer. The lower extremities of the bands 10 and 11 are reduced and crossed where they are provided with straps 14 and 15 which engage about the waist of the wearer and are extended upwardly to form portions 17 and 18 which are secured to the arm receiving portions of the bands 10 and 11 and are provided with rings 19 or the like for the reception of a tape 16 or similar fastening means to secure the same adjustably in position. The straps 14 and 15 are extended downwardly from the bands 10 and 11 and are caused to extend upwardly from the waist in order to draw the bands 10 and 11 taut against the back of the wearer thereby supporting the shoulders within the upper extremities of the bands 10 and 11.

The portions 17 and 18 of the straps 14 and 15 are secured to the lower ed es of the arm receiving portions of the bands 10 and 11 for the purpose of drawing the same downwardly from engagement with the arms of the wearer and to hold the edges snugly against the body of the wearer. This adjustment is effected through the employment of the tape 16 which extends about the front of the waist of the wearer.

For the purpose of admitting of the free movements of the body the bands 10 and 11 are provided at their upper arm encircling portions with stra s of resilient material 20 which is prefera 1y formed of rubber or the like to admit of the expansion and also to contract the arm receiving portions of the bands 10 and 11 from the forward or backward movement of the shoulders. The portions 17 and 18 of the straps 14 and 15 are provided intermediately with resilient straps 21 to admit of the expansion and contraction of the portions 17 and 18 upon the raising of the shoulders without straining or displacing the straps 14 and 15 to thereby admit of the free and easy motion of the wearer.

A brace of this character when formed may be made strong and durable from a like material and thereby produce no discomfort of the wearer incident to weight or to bulky formation of the same, or by reason of the employment of enlarged fastening devices connected therewith.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is 1. A brace as specified comprising two bands having arm receiving portions formed at their upper extremities, said bands adapted to be positioned against the back of a wearer and crossed thereon, straps extended from the lower extremities of said bands forwardly about the waist of the wearer,

said straps being extended upwardly and engaged with the lower edges of said bands, rings carried loosely on said straps and a tape engaged adjustably through said rings.

2. A brace as specified comprising two bands engaged across the back of a wearer, arm receiving portions disposed in the upper forward ends of said bands, straps extended from the lower ends of said bands downwardly and forwardly about the waist of the wearer, said straps being turned up wardly to engage the forward ends of said bands, rings loosely engaged about said straps, an adjustable tape disposed through said rings to draw said straps taut, a second tape engaged across the upper ends of said bands to retain the same upon the shoulders of the wearer, straps of resilient material positioned in the arm receiving portions of said bands, and resilient straps intermediately positioned in said first straps to admit of the free movement of the shoulders of the wearer.

3. A brace as specified comprising two bands positioned in crossed relation against the back of a wearer, arm receiving portions formed at the upper ends of said bands, straps extended from the lower ends of said bands about the waist of the wearer and extended upwardly and connected to the arm engaging members and means connected to said straps for adjustably tightening the same.

4. A brace as specified comprising two bands positioned in crossed relation upon the back of a wearer, arm receiving portions formed on the upper ends of said bands, straps disposed upon the ends of said bands and extended to the lower opposite edges of said arm receiving portions, rings loosely engaged about said straps and a tape engaged through said rings for drawing the same forwardly about the waist of the wearer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AGNES ROLAND. [1,. s.]

Vitnesses NONA M. RIVERS, EDWARD L. GooDWIN. I 

